Thebarefootfoodie

  Reflections on Father's Day Hi Daddy, you must be having a great time in heaven, together with Mum. Although we never had a close father-daughter relationship, I choose to remember those moments which were special to me - like the outings to Esplanade Park, Satay Club with Mum when I was little, accompanying me to take the school bus on my first day of school, how your face lit up when you attended my university graduation. Growing up, I have often envied other people's daddies and wished you were more like them. I wished I could talk to you when I had my first crush on a boy, felt ugly because my face was full of pimples during my teenage years, looked into the mirror and hated what I saw...So I decided that since I wasn't pretty, I could be clever instead, and lost myself in an alternative world of adventure, imagination and books by Enid Blyton, Alfred Hitchcock, Agatha Christie, Perry Mason, anything and everything I could get my hands on... At home, you were either...

  Teemo APRIL 7, 2021 MY FURRY KIDS Teemo came into our lives on 9 March 2021 . His fosterer told us he is about 3 months old so this lucky boy will have two dates to celebrate – an “agak-agak’ birthday on 9 Dec 2020 and his adoption day in March. But first, here’s a long preface to where we got to be where we are. Don;t be fooled by my coyness I’ve always loved animals but since G developed allergies to cats and dogs, we stopped having them for goodness knows how long a deprivation dry spell. Things changed one day when a runaway or abandoned hamster found its way into our house. We took Hammie in and just as suddenly as he came, he became listless one day, developed a wet tail ( a fatal syndrome in hamsters ) and died. I was very upset and felt the loss deeply. G wanted to get me another hamster but since their lifespan is only 2 years, we decided to get bunnies instead. That was how Miu Miu ( the Brown ) and Prada ( the Black ) joined the family. Surprise, surprise, G is not all...

  Between Then and Now AUGUST 15, 2016 BAREFOOT FAMILY When Pokemon Go was first launched in early August in Singapore ( after it has taken over the rest of the world by storm), I pooh-poohed the idea in righteous indignation. Over dinner some days later, I found out both son and daughter were on to it, with the son leading by a mile at level 16. Last week, we met a dear couple with advanced teenage children like ours who, at last count, were sane, rational, sensible people. They started playing Pokemon Go with their big kids and became big kids themselves. The wife started running to stalk the Pokemon creatures, and the entire family began to get together to play the game, something which has eluded them as a common activity since the morphing into teenage-hood. That got me ready interested. I sat up, paid close attention as the game was explained to G and I. Immediately, we both downloaded the app and made up for lost time. I repented of my past error. It has been four days....

  One year on AUGUST 19, 2015 BAREFOOT THOTS What a feast you must be having now in heaven! We measure life ( or death )  by milestones, by events, by timelines. It has been exactly one year to the day since you left us – so suddenly, so unexpectedly, so devastatingly. Your absence leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of those who loved you, mine especially. You never ever get over the loss of someone dear. Time does heal, somewhat, and will continue to do so, but not entirely. I miss you on Sundays when we go to church, and there’s one seat next to ours which should have been yours. The granny room remains empty because it was meant for you to come and stay with us. I missed you at this year’s Chinese New Year reunion dinner, when you would be the one playing host, at your place.I missed you when we went to Bali minus one more kaki.  I miss you in so many unfathomable ways that only seem to crop up now that you are not here. I have lunch occasionally with Aunty Nancy, your...

  Becoming a Homebody MARCH 20, 2015 BAREFOOT LIVING Back To Basics Two months after moving back and settling in, I am slowly being transformed. Going out, eating out, staying out, no longer hold much appeal to me. I am drawn towards the one destination called home where I want to linger and potter around. Time slows down and adjusts its rhythmic cycle, the way it should be. The garden and pond teem with wildlife in a different world which is magical, mysterious and moving ( pun unintended ). I spotted a glorious purple dragonfly one morning flitting from leaf to leaf. It lingered long enough for me to capture it with the push of a button and was not seen again. I see growth and renewal in every new shoot of the freshest green, but also decay and death in the yellow brown hues, calling for them to be pruned. I hunt down caterpillars, aphids and other pests with a vengeance. There is a soothing calmness experienced by gazing at the “longkang” fishes in the pond. One day, I discovere...

  When I was little NOVEMBER 3, 2014 BAREFOOT THOTS First posted on 20 May 2010 It all adds up When I was a little girl, I dreamt of being an airline hostess. I pictured myself dressed in a fitted Sarong Kebaya, serving delectable tidbits. In my visions, I was beautiful and elegant – everything a little girl hoped to grow up to be. When I told my mum about my dream, she laughed out loud and thought it really funny that I should see myself as beautiful because she did not. She said something that reminded me I was not pretty enough to qualify as an airline hostess. That day, my little heart broke into a million pieces.   I learnt that day that words can hurt. Careless, thoughtless, casual words. It shattered my dream. From that day, when I look into the mirror, I saw myself the way my mum saw me – not pretty enough…until I discovered that ugly ducklings can turn into swans. What you are inside recreates the outside. I remember my visions and held on to them   Prov 18:21 “…...

  Photo taken in Jan 2014 Dearest Mom,   You left so suddenly on 19 Aug, to be with the Lord. I did not even get to hug you, kiss you one last time, or say goodbye. I will always cherish our 7 days together in Bali - 7 glorious days of mother-daughter bonding time, of spas, pedicures, chilling out over delectable breakfast spreads, shopping, walks by the beach, pigging out at dinnertime, and that sneaky trip to " Cocoon " for fillers, which made you look years younger. I have these precious memories which I will hold fast in my heart.   I was wrong to ever think that your world was too small for me. Truth is, your world was enough for you, and your heart was much, much bigger than mine.   It takes a very special person to work for 20 years to serve those who are severely handicapped, and attend to their needs. You were that person. I saw every single one of them come to say their last goodbye to you, in their wheel-chairs, struggling to cope with their loss of " Sist...